Those of us working from home since March have been patiently waiting for the all-clear to go back to the office. Now, as businesses slowly begin to reopen, it’s important to do a little bit of maintenance on your office equipment before jumping back in.

Long stretches of inactivity can wreak havoc on your printers, copiers, and MFPs. Printers that have been sitting idle for months in less than ideal environments can experience issues like:

• Dry ink, which can solidify, clump, or compact.

• Paper can become damaged leading to poor image quality and paper jams.

• Many businesses are based around Windows OS and systems that have been shut down for an extended period can have issues with Windows OS trying to update in the background when restarted. This can bottleneck your network and cause other issues.

Starting Smoothly

You’ll find articles and tips on maximizing your device’s performance by visiting the manufacturer’s website. Check for your specific model when searching. Look for spec sheets, blog posts, tips, and manufacturer’s suggested best practices.

Remember the acronym “S.T.A.R.T.” to maximize printer performance:

Stabilize the environment. Keep the temperature and humidity within the manufacturer’s suggested range.

Turn on your device first, then the digital front end (if needed).

Allow the printer to warm up. Check for error messages and follow any prompts and instructions.

Replace paper that appears damaged, damp, or wrinkled.

Test performance by printing several test jobs.

If you’re not sure where to start, just give us a call. We’re always happy to answer your questions to help you take the proper steps to get back to work productively, efficiently, and most importantly, safely!